Written Answers Nos. 319-337
319. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice if the figure of €24 million is accurate in relation compensation being offered to the families of Stardust victims; if a separate payment is being made to cover legal fees incurred by the State and families; and to provide a breakdown of the amount, or if this is not possible, any estimate provided to her from the Attorney General or State Claims Agency (details supplied). [37495/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced by the Taoiseach in July, the Government approved a scheme of ex gratia redress awards totalling €24 million which has been agreed with the families’ legal representatives.
Arrangements for the disbursement of payments through the families legal representatives are being made. Separate arrangements will be made for the legal costs incurred in connection with the administration of this scheme. As this work is still ongoing, an estimate of costs in this regard is not yet available.
320. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice if she has been briefed on the war and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan; whether she is aware than two million refugees have already left the country and that many will make their way to Europe; if she is making contingency plans for this; and if she has made an intervention on the matter at Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings at EU level. [37500/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am certainly aware of the conflict in Sudan and its impact, and appreciate that this is a difficult time for our Sudanese community and their loved ones.
In that regard, my Department has assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs in their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families from Sudan.
It is open to the people affected who have family members here to apply for a visa. Due to the unrest in Khartoum the office of Ireland’s Honorary Consul is currently inaccessible.
Emergency visa applications will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis but will, wherever possible, be processed speedily and sympathetically. The Embassy of Ireland in the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi Visa Office) is the main point of contact for queries in relation to Irish visa applications by Sudanese citizens or residents.
Any person wishing to travel to Ireland can do so through a number of legal pathways. Details of the various pathways can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/
Furthermore, the Family Reunification Unit, which process applications made under the International Protection Act 2015, is prioritising Sudanese applications where possible.
More generally, my officials and I will continue to engage with the Commission and with counterparts in other Member States in the appropriate EU fora, including under the aegis of the European Union Asylum Agency, on the monitoring and management of ongoing or possible future migratory flows arising from the conflict in Sudan and its humanitarian consequences.
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date with an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37538/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.
All applicants must undergo Garda vetting. Unfortunately, it is the case that some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and are largely out of the control of my Department. The previous backlogs in application processing in Citizenship had arisen largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic.
Since then, Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.
Based on the current application levels, I expect going forward that most straightforward applications based on residency will receive a decision within one year.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
322. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda traffic watch phone number, 1890205805, has been discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37569/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Traffic Watch is a partnership approach to reducing the number of road collisions and fatalities. It brings road users, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders together in a united and sustained effort to improve safety on our roads.
As part of An Garda Síochána’s ongoing commitment to road safety, a new online Traffic Watch reporting form is now available on Garda.ie. This form will replace the Traffic Watch number, which was first set up in 2001 and expanded nationwide in 2004. In the past 10 years, Traffic Watch has received over 45,000 calls.
Members of the public can report non-emergency traffic-related incidents using the online reporting form which went live on the Garda webpage from 8 August. In an emergency situation, members of the public should always call 999/112.
These online reports are logged by Garda Staff at the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) who then forward the report to the Superintendent in the relevant Community Engagement Area to progress.
The Superintendent will appoint a member of An Garda Síochána to investigate a Traffic Watch complaint.
The investigating member makes contact with the complainant to:
• Establish the complainant's version of events;
• Establish if there are other witnesses to the alleged incident;
• Discuss the possible actions available;
• Take a written statement of complaint.
Where, following the investigation, an offence is believed to be disclosed, a file is submitted to the Superintendent who will decide what action, if any, is to be taken. In all instances, the complainant should be notified of the outcome of their complaint.
323. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total number of freedom of information requests submitted to her Department in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the total number of such requests that were rejected in their entirety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37600/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to fulfilling all of its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 including ensuring that those seeking records are dealt with in an open and transparent manner.
All decisions to refuse requests are made in accordance with the relevant exemptions and administrative refusals as set out in the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
Any decisions to refuse will often be on the basis that requested records do not exist or because the records are already in the public domain. My Department ensures that where a decision is made to refuse, the individual requester is made aware of their appeal rights.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular form below.
|
Year |
Requests Received |
Requests Refused by Decision Maker |
|
Year |
Requests Received |
Requests Refused by Decision Maker |
|
2022 |
695 |
180 |
|
2023 |
938 |
244 |
|
2024 to date* |
865 |
150 |
* to 20/09/2024
324. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of sexual offenders currently taking part in sexual offence rehabilitation programmes in Irish prisons; if she is aware that such programmes have a very low level of participation; how she intends to address this phenomenon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37771/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Building Better Lives (BBL) programme has been delivered as the treatment programme for sexual offending since 2009 in Irish Prisons. It is based on Canada’s Rockwood model of treatment. The programme is provided over two stages; a shorter motivational group (Exploring Better Lives; EBL) and the longer term more intensive treatment group, Practicing Better Lives (PBL). Typically eight participants attend each group and participation has occurred in the last 2 years of a persons sentence.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that all those in custody, who have been convicted of a sexual offence, are screened for their suitability for the BBL programme but that in order to ensure effectiveness, the programme has strict inclusion and exclusion criteria for participation. These criteria include admission of the offence and harm caused, stability of mental health and personality, sufficient sentence length, moderate to high risk of re-offending, and capacity to engage in group programming. Participation is not mandatory as imposed interventions are compromised in their efficacy as well as raising ethical and legal concerns and there is also a requirement for lengthy pre and post-assessment reports. All of these factors impact the number of people eligible or suitable to participate in the programme and the total number of participants who completed the Building Better Lives programme (both EBL and PBL) in 2023 was 11.
I can further advise the Deputy that the BBL programme has been reviewed based on the emergence of updated research evidence, discussion with field experts, new Council of Europe recommendations and the new National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and that as a result of this, the Irish Prison Psychology Service has developed a new model of intervention for people convicted of sexual violence. This new model will offer a wider variety of therapeutic programmes and will be run in Arbour Hill and the Midlands Prisons.
Significant changes include, risk assessment at an early stage in sentence to inform sentence management and treatment options, working with people who deny and minimise their offence(s), working with people with mental disorders who have been sexually violent, and provision of a broader range of treatment options for people in all risk categories and those serving shorter sentences.
It is anticipated that the new model will widen access to treatment for men convicted of sexual violence and increase participation rates. The new model should witness a significant reduction in the current barriers to treatment as outlined above.
325. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the projects and programmes with her Department which have been allocated funding under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Programme; the funds drawn down to date in each instance; the profiled drawdown in each of the forthcoming years of the programme; the steps she is taking to ensure that projects and programmes are completed within the specified timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37791/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department has not received any funding from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility.
326. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice for an update in relation to the work of Garda juvenile liaison officers; the number of Garda juvenile liaison officers, by rank, in each Garda division; the amount of funding it has received in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and the number of arrests and prosecutions arising in the years in question, in tabular form. [37831/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 112 members of An Garda Síochána allocated to Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) duties across the state, not inclusive of personnel allocated to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau (GNYDB) at Garda Headquarters. A breakdown of JLOs by rank and Division is appended to this answer. Please note that for data protection purposes, An Garda Síochána does not release statistical information for counts of fewer than 10.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) are sworn members of An Garda Síochána, and are appointed at Divisional level on full time JLO duties. On this basis no specific funding information is available for JLOs as a separate category.
Details in relation to the number of referrals to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, where a child has committed a crime that is the subject of a referral to GNYDB, and if the child was, following consideration, admitted to the Diversion Programme, are available in the Annual Report of the Committee appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme each year. The annual reports are published on the Garda website:
www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/community-engagement/community-engagement-offices/garda-national-youth-diversion-bureau/
Any criminal offence committed where a child is found not suitable and not admitted to the Diversion Programme is then the subject of direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to charge(s) and a prosecution before the Courts.
As the Deputy will appreciate, An Garda Síochána does not hold and cannot provide a return for convictions. Queries regarding convictions data should be directed toward the Courts Service, who are responsible for providing such information. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie .
327. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice if a new recruitment campaign for Garda members to join the Garda band will be launched before end of 2024. [37832/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. This responsibility extends to members of the Garda Band. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
As well as performing at official Garda and State functions, the band is dedicated to the development of good relations between An Garda Síochána and the community it serves. It achieves this through performance of a varied, entertainment-focused programme, which evolves to suit every audience, event or setting. Many Garda Band concerts serve not only as Garda community relations events, but as essential fundraising opportunities for local communities, sports clubs and charities.
An Garda Síochána are running an internal expression of interest to invite members with suitable instrumental skills to join the Garda Band. That competition is currently ongoing.
328. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of times documents or written indications of relevant information furnished to the Interim Parole Board in respect of a relevant person, or an application by a relevant person, were not provided to the person or their legal representation owing to exceptional circumstances, from 2001 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37897/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnfortunately, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with a response.
The information sought by the Deputy would require a detailed examination of each of the files relating to that period of two decades which could only be provided through the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and resources.
329. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if she will grant stamp 2 residency permits for the entire length of international students' courses and expand the student assistance fund to include international students, to address the significant financial burdens they face, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37926/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EU/EEA/UK/Swiss nationals wishing to pursue a course of education in the State.
Such students, subject to certain conditions, are granted a Stamp 2 immigration permission typically for 1 year but can vary depending on the nature and length of the course. Such permission may be renewed provided the student is enrolled in an approved course and has achieved the necessary progression.
All applicants for permission to study in Ireland must show that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds.
Since April 2001, non- EU/EEA/UK/Swiss students with a Stamp 2 immigration permission, and who are enrolled on courses with education providers listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), including English language courses, have been afforded the opportunity to work during their stay. They may take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term time, non- EU/EEA/UK/Swiss students can work up to 20 hours per week and, during normal college holiday periods they can work on a full time basis up to 40 hours per week.
The Student Assistance Fund is operated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) with the participation of universities and colleges. It does not come under the responsibility of my Department. However, I am informed by the Department of Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science that international students are required to demonstrate financial capacity to support themselves while undertaking study.
International/non-EU fee paying students, who pay the full international rate of fee, are not eligible for funding under the Student Assistance Fund. The Department of Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science advises Higher Education institutions to ring-fence funding from international/non-EU fee income to provide for any emergency financial requirement arising for this cohort of students.
The Deputy may wish to contact that Department directly for further information in regard to the Student Assistance Fund.
330. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1594 of 23 July 2024, the status of the implementation of the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and in particular the commitment to double the number of refuge spaces during the lifetime of the strategy; the number of refuge spaces and their locations that have been delivered to date in 2024; the total number of refuge spaces and their locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, which I officially opened at the start of this year.
Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
Under Budget 2024, in excess of €7.9m in additional funding for combatting DSGBV has been allocated to my Department.
This represents a significant increase and will support the implementation of the Zero Tolerance plan - including through the new agency, which has an overall budget of €59m for 2024.
A key action of the Third National Strategy is the doubling of refuge space numbers available during the lifetime of the Strategy to 280 refuge spaces.As the Deputy is aware, prior to the establishment of Cuan, an Inter-Departmental Group was set up to manage and oversee progress on the delivery of additional refuge units. This Committee was initially chaired by the Department of Justice, with representation from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth. This Committee is now chaired by Cuan.Through this Committee, Cuan and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to assist the development of local structures operating in the priority areas identified in the Third National Strategy and will support their advancement of the new refuges, with capital funding support continuing via the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.The Agency also has a dedicated team in place to support the development of domestic violence refuges.
As this question relates to work being carried out by Cuan to oversee the implementation of the Third National Strategy, including the provision of accommodation for victims of DSGBV, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.
331. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 186 of 10 July 2024, the number of people who have been refused leave to land at a port, or at the border with Northern Ireland, in 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down by nationality and location of the refusal; the number of those who were refused leave to land who applied for international protection, in tabular form; if those refused leave to land are given information on their right to apply for asylum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37933/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will recall, the information was not available at the time of answering. I have now received the information requested from the Garda Commissioner.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry, including the land border with Northern Ireland, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).Under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004, an Immigration Officer must determine whether a non-EEA national should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry. Section 4(3) of that Act sets out the full range of grounds on which a passenger may be refused.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation.
If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land.
The table below provides the total number of persons who have been refused leave to land in 2023 and in Quarter 1 2024. A breakdown by nationality is provided in the attached document.
Table 1: Persons who have been refused leave to land
|
Year |
2023 |
2024Q1 |
|
Border with Northern Ireland |
67 |
37 |
|
Cobh |
21 |
|
|
Cork Airport |
124 |
25 |
|
Cork Port |
<10 |
<10 |
|
Dublin Port |
228 |
55 |
|
Dublin Airport |
5,826 |
1,339 |
|
Kerry Airport |
<10 |
<10 |
|
Knock International Airport |
22 |
|
|
Limerick |
<10 |
|
|
Other |
<10 |
<10 |
|
Rosslare Port |
57 |
26 |
|
Shannon Airport |
53 |
11 |
|
Waterford Port |
<10 |
*Where the number is low (less than 10), a breakdown is not provided. This is for reasons of confidentiality.
332. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to examine issues regarding soler PV approvals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37386/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the ESB. I am aware of the potential for restrictions on the export capacity of individual farms in respect of which support for the installation of solar panels is sought.
I understand that ESB Networks may place restrictions on the maximum export from a farm depending upon the capacity of the local network to take electricity from renewable sources.
It is my understanding that the restrictions are due to the capacity of the local power lines, the size of the relevant transformer, the number of customers being fed by the line, the distance from the transformer, the presence of any other solar panels on the line and other loading issues.
ESB Networks reviews each application for the connection of solar panels to the network and determines the maximum export capacity for each installation.
I understand that ESB Networks is working to develop the electricity network to maximise the amount of renewable electricity production systems that can be connected to the electricity grid.
333. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the arrangements and locations for the suckler carbon efficiency programme courses, given the difficulty for many doing these courses online and the long distances involved for a large number travelling to the locations currently proposed for these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37420/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
One of the eligibility requirements for continued participation in the programme is the completion of SCEP training by 15 November 2024. The online course consists of a brief explainer video and seven course modules. The course is accessible online using the pin number provided in the information letter issued to participants by post and via their agfood account.
The online course is laid out in a very user friendly format; it is easy to navigate and key information is conveyed effectively in relatively short modules, including interesting demonstration videos. The online training is preferential for the majority of participants given that it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at a location of their choosing. Already, 6,200 SCEP participants have fully completed their online training with a further 2,285 currently progressing through the modules.
Earlier this year, I committed to monitoring the uptake of SCEP training and holding a number of in-person SCEP training events to assist those who do not have internet access or the support to access online training. On 11 September, I announced that in-person SCEP Training events will be held in five venues in strategically selected locations to maximise accessibility for participants. These will commence week beginning Monday 30th September in Kilkenny, Mullingar, Claremorris, Charleville and Ballybofey. Participants must register in advance to book their place and as of Friday 20th September, circa 500 SCEP participants have registered to attend an in-person session.
My Department will continue to monitor the uptake of the training, continuously assessing the numbers completed and adjusting communications regarding the training, and providing additional supports to farmers as the closing date of 15 November 2024 for completion approaches, should it be required.
334. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to establishing a mechanism to validate the registration status of the owner’s address for those who have microchipped their pet dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37519/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for S.I. No 63/2015, the Microchipping of Dogs Regulation 2015 and S.I. 427/2015 - Microchipping of Dogs (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Under these Regulations, all dogs over 12 weeks of age (or younger if sold before 12 weeks) must be microchipped.
It is illegal to sell/supply a dog that is not microchipped. The microchip number must be registered; this helps to ensure the traceability of a dog that strays and improves the chance of return to the owner if a dog is stolen. As part of the registration process the owner is required to provide proof of address, such as a utility bill, or other verifiable documentation.
Currently there are no plans to update this legislation.
335. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when additional measures will be implemented to address the outbreaks of bovine TB in parts of the country; if there are sufficient personnel in all district veterinary offices at present dealing with disease-control issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37523/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum along with support from three working groups – a Scientific group, an Implementation Working Group and a Finance Group to ensure all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum and its working groups comprise of representatives from across the agri-food sector, leading researchers, farming organisations and my Department. I am confident that the work of this Forum will result in the necessary measures to address the current high levels of TB will be agreed and implemented as soon as possible.
My Department like any Government Department manages its resourcing within budgetary constraints, and it remains committed to continuing to do this throughout 2024. The relevant administrative, technical and veterinary personnel working on the TB programme in the Regional Veterinary Offices are fully committed to combating the current levels of TB disease in the national herd.
I am committed to reducing TB incidence rates across the country. Since I launched the TB Strategy in 2021 stakeholders have been working collectively to reduce TB rates. We must keep this going with the ultimate aim of eradicating TB from the herd.
The details of the TB Strategy along with details of TB Forum and working groups are available on www.bovinetb.ie
336. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay with Horse Sport Ireland issuing equine passports under their new e-passport registration system "Horse Source"; to examine a case of passports pending since June (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37537/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Sport Ireland (HSI) introduced an on-line system for horse passport applications in July 2024. It is anticipated that this system will lead to efficiencies in processing and enhance turnaround times following receipt of valid passport applications.
HSI have advised me that the breeder submitted paper based applications in June 2024. They have confirmed the DNA results for the three animals in question have been received back from the laboratory with the required parentage verification.
Accordingly, I am advised that the passports will issue to the breeder over the coming week.
337. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of freedom of information requests submitted to his Department in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the total number of such requests that were rejected in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37589/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received, and responded to a total 998 Freedom of Information requests from 2022 to date. Of these 998 requests, 252 were refused in their entirety. The full breakdown by year is provided in tabular form.
In order to allow FOI bodies to properly conduct their business, it will sometimes be necessary to exempt from release, certain types of information in some circumstances. Exemptions are either mandatory or discretionary. These are set out in the Act.
Among the key exemptions are records relating to:
• Government meetings.
• Confidential and commercially sensitive information.
• Personal information (other than information relating to the person making the request).
|
Year |
Requests Received |
Requests Refused |
|
2022 |
368 |
94 |
|
2023 |
392 |
109 |
|
2024 to date |
238 |
49 |
|
Total |
998 |
252 |
